Therefore we must pay greater attention to what
we have heard, so that we do not drift away from it.
For if the message declared through the angels was valid,
and every transgression or disobedience received a just penalty,
how can we escape if we neglect so great a salvation?
It was declared at first through the Lord,
and it was attested to us by those who heard him... - Hebrews 2:1-3
The letter to the Hebrews speaks to the tradition of the Church about the grace and mercy of the Lord in his sacrifice upon the Cross. Also, the Church holds very dearly to the Tradition of the Church as safeguarded by the magisterium, headed by the Holy Father, under the guidance of the Holy Spirit.
Traditions and rituals that are mocked by the critics of the Church exploit the modern notion that things that are old are also obsolete. However, it is this poor man’s first hand experience that the grace of God is the oldest ‘thing’ in existence and, yet, for us Christians, it remains the most relevant truth in existence.
On CNN I found two news stories today. The first was that the Church of England has changed their doctrine to allow the ordination of female bishops. The second was the arrest of several employees of Disney for various crimes against children. While these do not deal with the Catholic Church directly, they are no less significant.
The Church in England, by allowing the ordination of female bishops, has separated itself from what Catholic tradition has held since the inception of the Church: Holy Orders, as instituted by Jesus to give grace, is reserved for males. This gender distinction is neither oppressive of women or is it a violation of the dignity of women. The Church has a fundamental and inherent responsibility to protect and safeguard the dignity of women and the sacred nature of femininity.
The nature of gender identity according to the Church is perfectly complementary. Neither is superior or subordinate to the other. But rather, the masculine and feminine work in perfect harmony for the glory of God. The role of the feminine is theological receptivity. This is most clearly identified in the Blessed Mother. In her ‘yes‘ to the Lord, she demonstrates for us perfect reception. The Church is also identified as our mother because the Church exists in the reception of God’s grace. A priest friend of mine once said that “receptivity is not passivity.” He went on to describe using the metaphor of catching a football. To receive a pass requires actively using the hands whereas passively receiving a pass may result in being hit in the head.
The role of the masculine is theologically initiative. Jesus initiates creation, the Church, and all things. This is particularly masculine and the priesthood must be masculine because of its role and nature. The Catholic Church does not ordain women because of oppression or lack of equality but, rather, it could be a theological insult to the dignity of women and the nature of feminism. The Church of England has voted to disagree doctrinally and theologically with the Catholic Church. However, the Church remains committed to unity and community with all people of Good will.
The unfortunate revelation of the recent arrests made of Disney employees for crimes against children highlights the continuing struggle to protect children. I feel compelled to note that the media is not condemning Disney but notes that the seniors at Disney are constantly seeking to protect children. The media does seem to promote the equality of Catholic priests with pedophiles. The protection of children is a social justice issue that the Church has been dealing with for some time. The Dallas Charter of 2002 laid foundations for the Church in America on how to move forward with the scandal. But the article pointed out that Disney is constantly working to improve how they safeguard children because Disney will always attract predators. It seems logical that the same sociological theory applies to the Church. The Church is going to attract predators we gather children in our churches.
The Dallas Charter is a beginning. The Church must continue to review and assess how it protects children. The truth is that the Church must always be proactive in its efforts to protect children. The Church has a pastoral responsibility to care for souls. God does not ask us to differentiate between sins and sinners but rather to love our neighbors as ourselves.
The news speaks to me about the love and mercy of God. My emotions want me to be angry with the Church of England for how it has chosen to interpret tradition and theology. They want me to rage against the former Disney employees who have committed or conspired to commit heinous crimes against children. But I must be led away from my emotions because they change with the wind. And the truth of God is that which never changes. We are loved. We are forgiven and free. We have been offered salvation by Jesus’ embrace of the just penalty which rightfully belonged to us. *(I am staring at this blog entry and am simultaneously contemplating the grace of God, the only way salvation is possible, and considering my great failure to coherently express my contemplations. It is like trying to define the entire earth by a single grain of sand.)* May the Lord in his love and mercy draw us closer to him. May we come to know his truth and grace. And may God make us fully proper to our personal role and dignity as a person.
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